Australia & the Pacific attractions

This pair of waterfalls near the village of Afareaitu are each fed by a different stream, the Putoa Stream and the Vaioro Stream. The larger of the two falls plummets more than 100 feet (30 meters) into a rock pool perfect for swimming.

See thousands of marine animals without leaving the city at the SEA LIFE Melbourne aquarium. Boasting more than 10 themed zones, the aquarium features penguins, sharks, rays, crocodiles, starfish, and much more. The ocean’s diversity and marine conservation efforts are the focus at this popular family attraction.

The oldest inland town in Western Australia, York was settled in 1831 and is known for its heritage architecture. With a location on the Avon River in Avon Valley, York is an easy day trip destination from Perth, one that offers history, culture, countryside scenery, and adventure activities.

Chugging its way through the thick bushlands, fern gullies, and ancient woodlands of the Dandenong Ranges, the Puffing Billy Railway is one of Australia’s most scenic train trips. The spectacular views of the Yarra Valley are just part of the experience; the historic steam engines and open-air carriages, which allow for dangling legs, along with the parks and dining options at Lakeside, make it a fun and memorable activity for the whole family.

Set in the heart of Glacier Country and backed by the Southern Alps, the Fox Glacier is not only one of New Zealand’s most impressive glaciers, it’s also one of the most accessible in the world—you can even catch a glimpse of the glacier from the roadside. Fed by high alpine snowfall, the Fox Glacier is also unique for its fast-moving ice flows, which means you’ll never hike the same glacier twice.

The Mackenzie Basin (also called Mackenzie Country) is an intermontane basin bounded on all sides by mountains. It’s a magnificent area of high peaks, colorful lakes, glaciers, grasslands, and some of the darkest night skies in the world. The Mackenzie Basin should be a fixture on any central South Island road trip.

Located in Vaucluse, in eastern Sydney, Nielsen Park is a year-round outdoor recreation destination. Part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, it offers a beach, large expanses of lawn, plenty of shade, a promenade, sheltered picnic areas, a food kiosk, and wonderful harbor views. It’s particularly popular among families with kids.

The MacDonnell Ranges are a 400-mile (644-kilometer) stretch of mountains offering spectacular views and some of the top natural attractions in Australia’s Northern Territory. Visit the ranges to experience Simpson’s Gap, Standley Chasm, and the secluded water holes of Serpentine Gorge and Ellery Creek Big Hole.

The Navua River winds its way through the largest Fijian island of Viti Levu, and is home to dense tropical forests crowding its banks. An exploration of the river can include floating past waterfalls and massive gorges, plus a stop at a traditional Fijian village for an educational visit and kava ceremony.

The Maori Arts and Crafts Institute (Te Puia) was established in the 1920s to protect the traditional arts of carving and weaving. Today Te Puia is a thriving educational institute and a unique experience of Maori culture: here you can watch students learn their craft, enjoy traditional cultural performances, and explore a rugged geothermal valley.

Take a break from the cars and crowds of Christchurch without leaving the city. Covering 407 acres (165 hectares) of central Christchurch, Hagley Park is a tranquil park full of green, open spaces. Take a paddleboat down the Avon River, play a match of soccer or rugby, or explore the flower beds and glasshouses of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

From the moment you walk through the giant fiberglass replica of a crocodile's head, you know that Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park is wild about crocs. Located on the outskirts of Broome, this adventurous park is home to native saltwater crocodiles deemed too aggressive to remain in their Outback communities.

With 175 acres (65 hectares) of fruit orchards open to visitors, Tropical Fruit World is one of the Gold Coast’s most unique tourist attractions. The eco-friendly, family-run working farm grows over 500 varieties of tropical fruits, and visitors can go behind the scenes to get a glimpse into farming life.

Nicknamed "the Gabba" after the suburb of Woolloongabba where it’s located, Brisbane’s 42,000-seat cricket ground serves as home turf for the Brisbane Lions, Brisbane Heat, and Queensland Bulls. The stadium, known for having one of the best cricket wickets in the world, also hosts concerts, rugby, and other sporting events.

Towering red-rock canyons, wildflower-filled gorges, and weathered mountain peaks make up the West MacDonnell Ranges, which stretch west of Alice Springs over an area of 1,240 square miles (2,000 square kilometers. The wild landscapes afford ample opportunities for outdoor activities and harbor a wide variety of wildlife and a rich Aboriginal heritage

Looking out over the Brisbane River, with a backdrop of the Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Eagle Street Pier is an idyllic location for dinner in Brisbane. The riverside precinct has a varied selection of bars, cafés, and restaurants, dotted around a 19th-century wharf and ringed by modern glass-fronted high-rises.

At the base of the Auckland skyline’s most prominent building, you’ll find SKYCITY, an entertainment complex with something for almost everyone. Learn to play table games in the casino, dine in some of Auckland’s most celebrated restaurants, or just take in the sweeping views from the Sky Tower.

The sights, sounds and smells of authentic Polynesian life are on offer at Pape'ete’s main market, the Marché de Pape'ete (Pape'ete Market). The indoor market hall is the commercial and social hub of Tahiti’s laid-back capital and the oldest surviving institution on the island.

Aromatic eucalyptus, ferns, and mountain ash surround the pool into which the 275-foot-tall Steavenson Falls plunge, with white water turbulence giving way to stillness. The lush area is marked by the black scars of the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009, but the region’s regeneration is proof of Australia’s fighting spirit.

Formerly home to Steve Irwin, also known as “the Crocodile Hunter,” the Australia Zoo is one of Australia’s largest and most popular wildlife conservation facilities. Managed by the Irwin family, whose personalities are a major part of its continued success, the zoo has a huge collection of native Aussie animals as well as creatures from around the world.

The Hollyford Track might not have the profile of Fiordland’s Great Walks, but it’s no less impressive. This low-altitude walk runs through the Hollyford Valley, part of the Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, and alongside the roaring Hollyford River, past towering mountains and crystal-clear lakes all the way to Martins Bay.

Brisbane’s Parliament House is where the business of governing Queensland takes place. And it couldn’t take place in a much grander setting: The 1868 building boasts a beautifully restored interior, a sweeping staircase, and gold-leaf details. Take a guided tour or watch the parliament sitting from the public gallery.

Built in the 1960s on the site of Queen Pomare IV of Tahiti's residence, the Territorial Assembly (Place Tarahoi) is home to the Presidential Palace and French Polynesian Assembly. Its also surrounded by manicured gardens dotted with memorial statues.

Dating back to 1859 and nicknamed "The Heath" after its original bushland race track, Caulfield Racecourse is one of Melbourne’s most legendary horse racing venues. Hosting prestigious events such as the Caulfield Cup—the precursor to the world-famous Melbourne Cup—it’s a top destination for a festive day at the races or a fun family outing.

Despite its name, American River is a town on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island (not, actually, a river). Set in a sheltered harbor between the ocean and Pelican Lagoon, the location attracts yachties and fishing vessels with its calm waters. For travelers, it’s primarily a base for birdwatching in Pelican Lagoon and exploring further afield on Kangaroo Island.

Christchurch is bursting with independent artists, artisans, and storytellers producing vibrant and cutting-edge work, and many of them call the Christchurch Arts Centre (Te Matatiki Toi Ora) home. Redeveloping and reopening in stages following the damaging 2011 earthquake, the center is an exciting, creative hub full of studios, stores, galleries, and museums.

Located in New South Wales, between Port Macquarie and Newcastle along Australia’s eastern coast, the village of Seal Rocks is renowned for its undeveloped beaches and prime surfing opportunities. Visitors also come to see the impressive Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, which offers stunning views.

See what it was like to sail aboard the tall ship, Polly Woodside, whose historical mission was to haul coal and wheat/nitrate from South America to England. This wooden ship made that voyage an impressive 16 times and now rests in Melbourne. Visitors can climb aboard, steer the ship, and pretend to sail the seven seas.

In Eurimbula National Park, mangrove thickets line the coast and clear creeks feed into the sea. White sand and a wide sky make this Queensland park feel endless, with air filled with the sharp scent of eucalyptus. While human visitors love the park, it’s also a haven for wildlife—keep your eye out for the dramatic plumage of black cockatoos, and the brilliant blue of the sacred kingfishers.

You’ll find plenty of beaches around Byron Bay and dotting the coastline of the expanded region. But for those that wish to get far out of the town and away from typical surfing and swimming hot spots, expansive Seven Mile Beach calls. This peaceful stretch of sand is ideal for those who prefer a quieter escape and fewer crowds.